The Micro-Nikkor
55mm f/2.8 lens was first introduced in December, 1979. It carries an Ai lens specification
in a revised optical formula and a faster maximum lens speed. A year later in 1980,
an equivalent lens with an updated Ai-S lens coupling system was followed.

Credit: Image of this interesting scale
of the three generations Micro-Nikkor lenses courtesy of Mr. "Todd Goodheart"
<oddart@wtciweb.com> Copyright 2002. All rights
reserved. Another similar image with the lenses at original position can be accessed
here.

Naturally,
we would assume all subsequent manual focus Micro-Nikkor lenses introduced since
then would carry an Ai-S lens specification. Not only this Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8s
lens features a faster maximum aperture than the earlier f/3.5 counterpart but it
has an improved macro identifications with an overall better finishing. The immediate
benefit of the speed gain is a brighter image presents inside the viewfinder and
it minimizes chances of darkening of split image rangefinder in a standard Nikon
K-type focusing screen. The overall brighter finder also enables easier focusing
and picture composing in many low available light situation or when an extension
tube or a bellows unit is used in conjunction with the lens.

The 55mm f/2.8
Micro Nikkor lens has a modified Gauss-type optical design. It has a slightly more
complex 6 elements in 5 groups in its optical formula (Compared to 5 elements in
4 groups used in last versions of Ai-Spec f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor which again different
from early versions of f/3.5 lens that has a simpler 5 elements in 3 groups design).
The lens incorporates a floating element system in the rear lens group which was
aimed to maintain its high optical performance at its closest focusing distance.
In fact, a significant factor contributes to great popularity of Micro-Nikkor lenses
among photographer and professional users is, these series of lenses are not just
specialized lenses for high magnification ratio photography; but they are also excellent
optic for handling general photography. Because high definition and distortion-correction
remain virtually unchanged over the entire focusing range, this has made micro-Nikkor
lenses such an attractive alternative to standard lenses at similar focal length.

Next, virtually
all modern Micro-Nikkor lens family has been treated with Nikon NIC ("Nikon
Integrated Coating " process - a proprietary multi-layers lens coating process
by Nikon for their lenses on air-to-glass surfaces to mainntain high image contrast
and minimizes flare at large lens apertures). The treatment of NIC also enables uniform
optical quality and superior color rendition across all the spectrum.

This highly rated
lens can reach a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 (0.5X) with its internal helical
focus mechanism. With a matching PK-13 Auto Extension Ring, the ratio can reach 1:1
Life Size (1X)- so does when it is used in combination with a 2X teleconverter such
as Ai-TC-200 or Ai-S TC-201. If you wish to achieve
an even higher magnification, this lens is best to with a Bellow Unit such as Nikon PB-6 Bellow Unit. With such a possible
combination, the magnification ratio can even be reaching to an astonishing 1:3.5
!

The focusing
and rotation of thhe lens provides a smooth and assuring operration for photographers.
it focuses continuously from infinity to 9-13/16 inches (25cm) at its closest focusing
distance and a reproduction ratio of 1:2 (half-life size) is reached at that range.
Although most photographers preferred to use the PK Auto Extension Ring for life
size magnification photography, but there are also series of Nikon Extension Rings which you can either
use singularly or in combination to achieve the desire degree of magnification ratio.
However, if you often works in the field and requires a more flexible alternative,
a Bellow Unit is a more logical choice then.

All Ai Micro-Nikkor
lenses usually have a rather colourful but well illustrated scales to provide appropriate
information relating to focusing distance(B). The 55mm featured
here is no exception, with scales of various magnification ratio of the primary len
and another when PK-13 Auto Extension Ring is used. The inner scale, with figures
from 1:10 to 2, represents reproduction ratios obtained when the lens is used alone.
The outer scale figures (from 1:2 to 1:1) represent possible ratios when the lens
and PK-13 ring (A) are used together.
Using either of these scales, you can photograph at a predetermined ratio without
calculating distance.

The depth
of field scales (C) are equally well
illustrated with f/32. f/22. f/11 printed in colour strips to indicate the depth
of field range in relation to a particular aperture used at specific focus, an additional
red infrared index (C) is also provided
which locates just beside the focusing, aperture index (6)
on the lens mounting ring (10). The lens was designed
with a minimum aperture of f/32 (11) which provides maximum
depth of field control, essential for extremely macrophotography. The orange minimum
scale of f/32 also serves as reminder for locking to this setting of the lens's minimum
aperture when used with previous Nikon FA, F501 and other Nikon SLRs
that capable of providing Automatic Programmed AE control. Other features includes
ADR scales (9) to display the aperture
in use inside the camera's viewfinder; a meter coupling shoe (8) for use with Non-Ai Nikon SLR bodies; the
aperture ring has a customary Nikon modern lens design (12)
which provides a positive, secure hand grip in changing lens aperture. Overall, this
lovely lens also has been extremely well corrected for any possible optical aberrations
and has an exceptional flatness of field and thus, it is also a perfect optic for
duplication and/or copying works.

As Nikon 35mm
photographic system has an enormous amount of system accessories to cover this specialized
application, and it has been a popular lens not just for leisure photographic use
but also comes in handy for many industrial usage. Anyway, possibilities in its usage
can be quite broad scope for this lens. Other popular applications include slides
duplication, close-up photography with Nikon Bellow Units etc.

Well, there
are few areas which you need to take not of, especially in the handling and maintenance
of the lens. Like any other micro-Nikkor lenses of short focal length, this lens
has a rather long extension when you focus to its closest working range. A precaution
when you handle this lens is, the rear section will move inwards deeply at its macro
focusing range but without any physical protection at its rear. It is necessary to
take extra care to avoid any possible foreign particles penetration via the rear
section. It is not advisable frequently perform lens changing in dusty environment.
So, it is not uncommon to see many of such used lenses has its lens elements resulted
in dust accumulation.

Complaints
? Yeah yeah yeah .... human race does move forward that way right ?? The incapability to
provide a continuously to 1:1 life size magnification is my main issue. I have been
wondering for quite while why couldn't Nikon provide a similar MF lens that capable
of providing focusing continuously down to 1:1 life size reproduction. Well, looks
like Nikon has kept all the goodies under their sleeves for the autofocus lens family
as the first generation AF-Micro-Nikkor lens introduced in 1986 remained at a similar
55mm focal length and shares an equivalent f/2.8 maximum aperture (Which easily leads
others to believe it was a replication of Ai-S MF Micro-Nikkor lens as it has the
same number of lens elements in its 6 elements 5 groups design). However, the AF
lens has a larger filter attachment size of 62mm BUT incredibly, the lens can focus
all the way down to 1:1 life size at its closest focusing distance ! Hmm ... so,
it is not entirely impossible huh ?

Another area which is not so much relating to its design, but rather during actual
lens usage. At 0.25m (9-13/16 in.) the lens reaches 0.5X magnification, (with PK-13
ring, 0.225m (8-13/16 in.at 1.0X) at such restrictive working distance between the
outer edge of the extension of the lens and subject you intend to shoot, it can be
quite uncomfortable to use and the perspective is slightly unnatural. Worst still,
if the lighting condition is unfavorable and artificial illumination is required,
it is rather hard to tame the strong flash output. Well, since most flash units are
not designed to tilt in to shoot macrophotography but Nikon does provide a few versions
of Macro-Ringlights such as Nikon SB-21
A/B which provides a softer, more even distribution of flash illumination and it
has an edge over other general flash unit.

Except for its
lens speed, the Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8s lens is a good substitution for any standard
50mm lens as it is more versatile and provides a wider scope of applications than
just use it for handling macrophotography. It represents an overall better investment
value than a standard lens which has its limitations especially at close focusing.
Well, unless you are a casual weekend photographer, you will soon find it has many
other suitable usage on and off the field, indoor or outdoor alike.

Technical
Highlights:
* Normal picture coverage
of 43 °. * Nikon's Close-Range
Correction System is used to maintain equally high close focusing performance even
when used to shoo at the minimum focusing distance. *
Continuous operation is possible from infinity to a reproduction ratio of 1:2 and,
with the PK-13 auto extension ring, from 1:2 to 1:1 life size. * Engraved dual reproduction ratio scales for
fast operation at predetermined ratios with or without the PK-13 ring. * High sharpness and extremely
well corrected flatness of field achieved by using a simple but superior optical
design, with Nikon Integrated Coating to improve color rendering. * Stops down to f/32 to permit maximum depth
of field - particularly useful in close-up and macrophotography. * Takes popular 52mm filters which shares with
many other lens accessories for Nikkor lenses under 200mm focal length. * Excellent for critical copying
of flat objects, such as coins and documents, yet its 43° picture angle makes
the 55mm micro also an excellent substitute normal lens for landscapes, candids,
and general photography.

The Ai-Spec PK
13 Automatic Extension Ring has a female F-Bayonet; male F-Bayonet on each end and
provides a 27.5mm extension while preserving automatic diaphragm with any Ai Nikon
camera body. The AI meter coupled Extenson Tube is supposedly a dedicated ring specifically
aims to supplement the Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8s to enable the lens reaches 1X magnification,
but it can also be used singularly or in combination with other Auto Ring sets for
other lenses. It was essentially an Ai-Spec Extension Tube updated from the previous
version, a Non-Ai meter coupled PK-3 Ring which is not advisable to use it with any
an Ai Nikon camera body.

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to use
the Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8s and Technical
Specifications
of the lens 1/2

Credit: MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite
some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping
me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites;LarsHolst Hansen, 'Hawkeye'
who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager
from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official
content; TedWengelaar,Holland
who
has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references
on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; HiuraShinsaku from Nikomat
Club Japan. Lastly,
to all the good people who has contributed their own expeience, resources or kind
enough granted permission to use their images of their respective optic in this site.
It is also a site to remember a long
lost friend
on the Net.Note:certain content and
images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets
& brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality
of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible
for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu
KK"
& "Nikkor" are registered
tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.